(1) Canadian 60s Pop Music Influence In S'pore

Percy Faith

These few postings will take readers for a Canadian 60s pop music ride, as the Canadian music influence in Singapore is quite extensive. It is another journey and the names of artistes and songs are mentioned because they are familiar and also personal favourites.

Before the advent of television and when radio was king of the living room and bedroom in the 30s to the 50s, bandleader Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians had a number of hit songs which began with the early microphone, early radio-era pop song, Charmaine, Red Sails In The Sunset, Young At Heart, Deep Purple, etc.

Another internationally successful Canadian-born bandleader of the 40s and 50s was Percy Faith (image) and his orchestra. Many senior Singaporeans still remember him as the man that made 50s and 60s pop songs into beautifully orchestrated 'lush' music, e.g. Born Free, Windmills Of Your Mind, Theme From A Summer Place and hundreds more.

Jazz pianist Oscar Peterson was also a world success from the 50s onwards. Most enthusiasts remember him even till today. Peterson was the 'Maharajah of the Keyboard' and the 'Brown Bomber of the Boogie Woogie.'

Then there's Nova Scotian country music star Hank Snow who, after making an impact in Canada, went to Nashville, Tennesse and became famous. In 1954, before young Elvis Presley became popular, Snow allowed him to appear on stage as his opening act.

Image: amazon.com

Reference: 1. Canadian Encyclopaedia Historica. 2. Wikipedia.
Original article: Andy Lim.